Lessons in IT Transformation: Technology Expert to Business Leader

The Importance of Communication

Of all the skills a leader must possess, one of the most important is the ability to effectively communicate with people. I have met a number of leaders in my day who felt very uncomfortable in this capacity. They felt that in order to effectively communicate, they needed to be great orators like Cicero or inspirational motivators like Knute Rockne. Although these are certainly wonderful qualities to possess, they are not prerequisites to effective communication. The most important aspect of being a good communicator is being authentic. The most important aspect in communicating is to “say what you mean and mean what you say.” People need to be able to trust what you communicate to them. They must also know that your words are backed up by genuine feelings and actions. There must always be congruence between your words and your actions. As the old saying goes, “What you do speaks so loud I can't hear what you say!” Great communicators are able to get their message across not because of the words they use but because of their ability to connect with people. You must have passion about the message and care deeply about the people to whom you are delivering that message. This comes across loud and clear. Unfortunately, so does a lack of sincerity or caring! Before you communicate with people, think about what you are trying to convey, why it is important to them, and how you can best help them to digest the message.

Say What You Mean

In the highly political ...